Then on his neck the fair one fell, A victim to dispair; He strove her fondness to dispell, Her grief he could not bear. 17 Just at this moment past the door, A wretch to feelings blind; He view'd the guest, and saw him poor, And therefore prov'd unkind. 18 What wretched man is that I see In garb so sad and torn? A weary traveller, said she, Who wanders here forlorn. 19 Come hither girl,----come hither lass, Said justice with a smile; Come cheer your spirits with a glass, Each anxious hour beguile. 20 She saw his motive, knew his aim, Her heart was elsewhere plac'd; Her Blaisot's form, her Blaisot's name, Was no where to be trac'd. 21 Just at this pause, there enter'd straight, His worships clerk with speed; With papers relative to fate, Or some foul bloody deed. 22 Read this my child, the justice said, And tell me what they say; Judge what she felt; ah! luckless maid, Now think of her dismay. [Illustration: _Verse 44_] 23 Her Fathers name was couple'd there, With death and sore disgrace; "Desertion" was his crime,--dispair Was written in her face. 24 She urg'd the justice from the spot, And he at length compli'd; She trembel'd for a parents lot, She wept, she sobb'd, she cried. 25 Her Fathers heart, by fears opprest, He stagger'd to a chair; He falter'd, spoke, then on her breast, He fell in wild dispair. 26 Oh! pitying Heav'n, preserve my child Preserve her God from ill; Then I in accents soft and mild Will bear thy tortures still. 27 Then from his belt a fork and spoon He plac'd before her view; He paus'd, before he ask'd the boon, While tears his cheeks bedew. 28 Take these sad relicks, all I hold, The wreck of fortune lost; And quick exchange them love for gold, For one by fortune crost. 29 Thy form I must not see again, Then mark my last decree; The gold that these, my love obtain, Convey to yonder tree. 30 This said, he vanished from her sight, She sank, opprest with grief; Her eyes were dim, tho' azure bright, And tears bestow'd relief. 31 Her heart reliev'd, she sought with speed, Her promise to pursue; When chance directed in her need, A wandering pedlar Jew. 32 Her Fathers wealth to him she sold, But heav'd a bitter sigh; And as she took the glittering gold, A tear bedim'd her eye. 33 The Jew was gone! she rush'd with joy, To seek the hollow tree; Delighted that she'd soon destroy His cares and set him free. 34 But fate denied her good intent, Julianne came that way; And stop'd her course, on virtue bent, And caus'd a short delay. 35 Come hither child, the matron said, I've business here for you; 'Tis fit the plate be instant laid, Ere you your course pursue. 36 She counted o'er each massy spoon, When dreadful to relate; The one deficient, very soon, She miss'd among her plate. 37 Dispair was mark'd in Annette's face Which beam'd deep scarlet hue; Where heav'nly innocence might trace, A heart, both firm and true. 38